Was darf man ab wann? 'Dürfen' vs 'können', wh- questions and modal verbs
I can use 'können' and 'dürfen' to describe what people are able to do and what people are allowed to do.
- Year 10
- AQA
Was darf man ab wann? 'Dürfen' vs 'können', wh- questions and modal verbs
I can use 'können' and 'dürfen' to describe what people are able to do and what people are allowed to do.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- 'Dürfen' refers to permission required from another person to do something.
- 'Können' refers to the ability to do something or the possibiity of doing something.
- Open questions use a question word before the verb, followed by the subject.
- In open questions using a modal verb, the 2nd verb in the infinitive is at the end of the sentence.
Keywords
Modal verbs - verbs of necessity, possibility, permission, ability, expectation or obligation used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive
Dürfen - modal verb meaning 'to be allowed to', 'may'
Können - modal verb meaning 'to be able to', 'can'
Wh-question words - question words that mostly begin 'wh-' in English, such as 'where'; in German they are 'Fragewörter'
Common misconception
'Können' and 'dürfen' both translate as 'can' in English.
'Können' and 'dürfen' are often used incorrectly in both German and English. 'Dürfen' refers to permission - 'may I/am I allowed to?'. 'Können' refers to the ability to do something - 'can I/am I able to?', whether or not permission is given.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German and English.
Q2.Sort the words below into the correct order: 'Ich __________ die __________ nicht benutzen, denn ich sitze im __________. __________ ich bitte den __________ zum Aufzug haben?'
Q3.Match the modal verbs to their English meanings.
Q4.Sort the words below into the correct order: Modal verbs are usually used with a second __________ in the __________ form, which comes at the __________ of the sentence.
Q5.Match the question words in German and English.
Q6.Which of these questions are not grammatically correct?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German and English.
Q2.What does the word 'darf' mean in the following sentence? 'Unter 16 Jahren darf man öffentlich keine Alkohol trinken.'
Q3.Match the following age restrictions to the relevant activities.
